makes the surface of the lure like glass," he said. "Do you
need to do that? Probably not. But I want it to look good."
Painting comes next, and this is when the project really
starts to take shape despite Vince's most impressive miscue
in his process. "I'm not very good with my paint," he said
with a knowing grin. "Because I don't write down my paint
mixtures. I should probably get a little better there."
This statement becomes increasingly comical as Vince's
lures are seen, each matching the intended species precisely.
If it's a fi sh imitation, it looks exactly like that fi sh. However,
sometimes he decides the grain of wood will be nicer than
Gewinner's fi rst two homemade lures are a far cry from
what his fi ne, but working, art has now become.
Gewinner uses a hammered-down split shot to provide the
weight his lures need for casting.
One of Gewinner's favorite tools when making lures is a
protractor.
March 2024 • Nebraskaland 35
